The cultural diversity of St. Maarten springs from its historical role as a crossroads for visitors to the New World. Dutch, French and British traders brought European traditions, while the Africans brought the language and culture of West Africa. Today the range of influences is reflected in the number of languages spoken. Dutch is the official language, but English is taught in schools and spoken everywhere, while other common languages are Spanish and Papiamento, the dialect of the Netherlands Antilles. St. Maarten's premier cultural event is its annual Carnival, which includes parades, calypso competitions, reggae shows, and an endless array of stands serving traditional island food.

• Learn about the island's food and try a few of our favorite recipes
• Carnival is celebrated twice on our island
• Many artists call St. Maarten home
• Find out if there is a special event during your planned visit and read about our holidays
• Read about the Pre-Columbian history of this region of the Caribbean
• Click here to learn about the island's history in the last few centuries
• Our recent past is presented here

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